Gulf Medical University (GMU) continues to drive Sustainable Development Goal 9 by investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure, strengthening research capacity, and fostering innovation-driven collaboration between academia, industry, and society.

During 2024–2025, GMU expanded its network of specialized institutes, accelerated digital transformation, and launched new partnerships advancing biomedical research, simulation-based education, and workforce development across the healthcare continuum.

Infrastructure Investments and Innovation Ecosystem

Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine (TRIPM)

TRIPM spearheads GMU’s innovation ecosystem through translational research in precision medicine, cancer immunology, and diabetes. In April 2025, the institute organized GMU Research Day 2025, showcasing 137 student research posters and launching the Thumbay International Research Grant, which funded 15 global projects in collaboration with universities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.

Thumbay Institute for AI in Healthcare (TIAIH)

TIAIH strengthened its global presence by signing an MoU with the University of South Dakota, focusing on AI-based research and education in healthcare. It also co-hosted the International Conference on “AI for Social Impact” with Shri Ram College of Commerce (University of Delhi), bringing together experts from 37 institutions across four continents. The conference explored AI’s transformative role in sustainable development across healthcare, policy, and business.

Thumbay Institute of Population Health (TIPH)

Established in 2024–2025, TIPH serves as a multidisciplinary hub for public health research, education, and policy innovation. Its agenda centers on improving population health outcomes through evidence-based solutions and collaboration across epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, and health policy.

A key focus is the prevention and management of the “Big Four” non-communicable diseases — diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory disease — which account for the largest burden of morbidity and mortality in the region. TIPH translates research into policy and practice, ensuring GMU’s impact extends beyond campus to community and national levels.

Institute of Health Workforce Development (IHWD)

The Institute of Health Workforce Development builds on GMU’s existing centers — the Center for Continuing Education and Community Outreach (CCE&CO), Center for Health Professions Education and Research (CHPER), BA Center for Online Health Professions Education and Training, Center for Interprofessional Education, Research and Practice (IPERP), and Center for Humanitarian Education.

IHWD addresses regional and global shortages of qualified health professionals by developing competent workforce capacity across medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, and allied health fields. It offers postgraduate and continuing education programs in collaboration with the College of Medicine, including Masters, Diplomas, and Certificates in Health Professions Education, simulation research, and clinical training.

Thumbay Institute of Clinical Simulation (TICS)

The Thumbay Institute of Clinical Simulation is a flagship facility for interdisciplinary training, providing high-fidelity clinical and communication simulation experiences for healthcare professionals.TICS hosts AHA-accredited BLS and ACLS courses, NAEMT-accredited PHTLS training, and RCPE online programs. It is an official international center for the MRCP UK PACES Examination, conducted twice annually, and a member of SESAM, ASPE, ASSH, and SSH. This institute serves as a regional model for simulation-based clinical education and research in medical training.

Educational Innovation and Research Development and Community Outreach

Thumbay International Research Grant – 1st Cycle (2025)

The Thumbay International Research Grant (TIRG), launched under the Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine (TRIPM), successfully concluded its first cycle in April 2025 with 192 applications from 34 universities across 10 countries.At a grand ceremony held in conjunction with GMU Research Day 2025, 14 pioneering projects were awarded funding from a AED 3 million pool, marking a milestone in GMU’s global research collaboration strategy.

The initiative—supported by Thumbay Group UAE and inaugurated under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman—aims to advance research in Precision Medicine, AI and Informatics, Population Health, Drug Discovery, and Innovation in Health Professions Education.

Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group, announced plans to increase the total funding to AED 10 million over three years, underscoring GMU’s long-term vision for research excellence and impact.The grant further solidifies GMU’s position as a regional hub for international collaboration, translational research, and innovation-driven healthcare advancement.

Thumbay Lab for AI in Healthcare Launched

In October 2024, Gulf Medical University inaugurated the Thumbay Lab for AI in Healthcare, a cutting-edge facility established under the Thumbay College of Management and AI in Healthcare. The launch event, held at GMU’s Library Main Foyer, was attended by H.E. Shri. Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE, and presided over by Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group.

The lab represents a major milestone in GMU’s strategic investment in digital innovation and healthcare transformation. It provides advanced tools and technologies to support education, research, and professional development in artificial intelligence applications across diagnostics, healthcare operations, and clinical decision-making.

Aligned with GMU’s academic and innovation ecosystem, the lab complements a suite of specialized programs, including the Master in Artificial Intelligence and Health Informatics (MAIHI), Certificate Course in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, and Certificate Course in Generative AI (GenAI) in Healthcare. These programs equip future professionals with the competencies required to lead AI-integrated healthcare systems.

The lab also fosters collaboration with over 15 health-tech industry partners, creating opportunities for applied research, industry-linked projects, and entrepreneurial innovation.As noted by Prof. Manda Venkatramana, Acting Chancellor and Vice Chancellor – Academics, “This lab enriches the academic experience through hands-on exposure to emerging technologies and strengthens GMU’s leadership in AI-based healthcare education.”

Annual Inter-School Medical, Art, and Science Exhibition (MASE 2024)

Gulf Medical University hosted the 18th Annual Medical, Art, and Science Exhibition (MASE) on October 24–25, 2024, welcoming more than 3,000 students from 96 schools across the UAE.The hybrid event featured six categories—projects, posters, paintings, poetry, music, and business ideas—with over 1,400 submissions and AED 50,000 in cash prizes.Through MASE, GMU fosters creativity and scientific innovation among secondary-school students, bridging art and science and inspiring early interest in medical and healthcare careers. The event also introduced a Business Idea Competition, promoting entrepreneurship and innovative thinking aligned with healthcare sustainability.As Chancellor Prof. Hossam Hamdy emphasized, MASE serves as a bridge between creativity, critical thinking, and future health professions, shaping a generation of innovators equipped to contribute to the UAE’s knowledge economy.

GMU Industry Partners Meet 2024 – Strengthening Academia–Industry Linkages

On July 3, 2024, Gulf Medical University held a landmark Industry Partners Meet at the Grand Hyatt Dubai, reinforcing its commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry.The event convened executives, healthcare leaders, and industry innovators from diverse sectors to explore collaborative pathways in health professions education, research, and innovation.

The forum highlighted the growing importance of experiential learning, employability, and innovation-driven partnerships in the healthcare ecosystem.Prof. Muhammad Al-Shorbagy, Dean of the College of Pharmacy, emphasized that GMU’s strategic partnerships equip students with the competencies required for success in dynamic healthcare environments.

During the event, the College of Pharmacy recognized several strategic partners for their continuous support through internships, research collaboration, and curriculum enrichment.The meet concluded with a renewed commitment to deepen these collaborations, paving the way for new joint projects, workforce development initiatives, and innovation-based training.

Through such engagements, GMU continues to strengthen its position as a regional leader in academic–industry integration, advancing SDG 9 by promoting sustainable innovation and strengthening healthcare infrastructure through strategic partnerships.

GMU Faculty Recognized at Innovation Day UAE 2025

On June 17, 2025, Dr. Jameel Rizwana Hussaindeen, Associate Professor and Program Director, Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences, represented the College of Health Sciences at the prestigious Innovation Day UAE, hosted by EssilorLuxottica at The Palace Downtown, Dubai.

Dr. Rizwana delivered an engaging presentation on “Functional Impact and Clinical Diagnosis of Presbyopia”, offering a clinically grounded and innovative approach to an age-related visual condition that affects millions globally.The event also featured the launch of the Varilux® Physio® Extensee™ progressive lens, emphasizing the convergence of scientific research and technological innovation.

In addition to her academic contribution, Dr. Rizwana won the Innovation Day Quiz Challenge, earning the latest iPhone 16 as a recognition of her excellence.

According to Dr. Praveen Kumar, Dean of the College of Health Sciences, “Dr. Rizwana’s participation and recognition at Innovation Day UAE demonstrate the caliber and leadership of GMU faculty and the university’s strong partnership with the vision science industry.”

Her achievement reinforces GMU’s commitment to faculty innovation, industry engagement, and translational research, contributing directly to SDG 9 through sustainable collaboration between academia and the private sector.

Student Research and Innovation Excellence

GMU Students Win First Prize at the Undergraduate Research and Innovation Competition (URIC 2025)

Gulf Medical University students achieved outstanding recognition at the Undergraduate Research and Innovation Competition (URIC 2025), held on May 29, 2025, under the esteemed patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence.

MBBS and MD students secured First Place in the Clinical Sciences category for their research titled “Unveiling the Risks and Outcomes of Preeclampsia – A Case-Control Perspective.”The winning team — Preethi Nandagopal, Afreen Abdul Rahim Sanaullah, Sathyapriya Nandagopal, and Shahnaz Mohamed Wazil — was supervised by Dr. Shameema Asif and Dr. Anusha Sreejith.

Their study emphasizes the importance of early identification of clinical and lifestyle risk factors in preeclampsia and demonstrates how continuous postpartum monitoring can substantially improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in the UAE.

This accomplishment reflects GMU’s strong focus on student-led innovation, applied research, and evidence-based healthcare solutions, aligning directly with SDG 9 by advancing scientific capacity and innovation-driven learning.